Prosecutors say Mack helped recruit “vulnerable” women to the group. They allege that upon joining, the women were forced to have sex with Raniere, branded with his initials and made to eat low-calorie diets to satisfy the leader’s alleged preference for thin women.

The prosecutors claim that the women were also made to give nude photographs, other personal information or rights to assets as collateral that could be used to threaten them with at a later date.

Sean Buckley, a lawyer for Mack, said a hearing: ”The allegations contained in the indictment are only that, allegations”.

Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Raniere, said earlier this month that he was “confident these allegations will be soundly disproven.”

NXVIM released a statement on its website which said: “In response to the allegations against our founder, Keith Raniere, we are currently working with the authorities to demonstrate his innocence and true character. We strongly believe the justice system will prevail in bringing the truth to light.“

It said it was “saddened” by reports, adding: “It is during the times of greatest adversity that integrity, humanity and compassion are hardest, and needed most.”

The group, which claims to be “working to build a better world” claims it is “a community guided by humanitarian principles that seek to empower people and answer important questions about what it means to be human”.